The 2015 World Championships in Aiguebelette will create 22 World Champions, and the fight for the medals will be fierce, but the most intense and gut-wrenching racing may take place much further down in the finish place ranks as crews try to qualify their country for the 2016 Olympics in their respective events. The results have national as well as personal implications – even beyond getting your country into the Games, athletes will be cognizant of the fact that if they're the ones who clinched the spot for the country, they want to prove themselves as well to improve their chances at being in the same seat in the same boat next year in Rio with Olympic medals on the line.
For those who do not qualify their crews, there are other ways to qualify for Rio – for nations in regions where rowing is still developing such as Asia and Latin America, there are regional qualification regattas; for European, North American, and OZ/NZ, there is the "Regatta of Death" regatta next summer from which a very small number of nations can qualify crews. Given how tough the qualification is for that regatta, and how disruptive it can be to Olympic preparation by requiring early selection and training to produce a true peak performance just weeks before the Games, suffice to say no one wants to be there.
Here is our roundup by event of the top contenders for the medals, as well as the cutoff point for qualification for an Olympic spot.
WOMEN'S PAIR
FAVORITE – The GBR pair of Heather Stanning and Helen Glover has not lost a race since the 2011 World Championships and are the crew to beat in this event.
CONTENDERS – Based on margins from World Cup II and III, NZL and USA are the most likely pairs to be in contact with the Brits.
USA LINEUP – Elle Logan (s), Felice Mueller (b)
OLYMPIC QUALIFYING SPOTS – Top 11
TOTAL OLYMPIC BOATS - 15
RECENT MEDALISTS:
GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
World Cup III | GBR | NZL | DEN |
World Cup II | GBR | USA | NZL |
World Cup I | NED | CHN1 | CHN2 |
2014 World Champs | GBR | USA | NZL |
MEN'S PAIR
FAVORITE – The NZL pair has dominated this event since 2009, with an average margin of victory in that time of 5.2 seconds.
CONTENDERS – The pairs from GBR and SRB each were within three seconds of the Kiwis in Lucerne, which is the closest anyone has been since the 2011 World Championships.
USA LINEUP – Tim Aghai (s), Mike DiSanto (b)
OLYMPIC QUALIFYING SPOTS – Top 11
TOTAL OLYMPIC BOATS - 13
RECENT MEDALISTS:
GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
World Cup III | NZL | GBR | SRB |
World Cup II | NED | ITA | AUS |
World Cup I | FRA | HUN | BLR |
2014 World Champs | NZL | GBR | RSA |
LIGHTWEIGHT MEN'S DOUBLE
FAVORITE – The French double has shown the best form in 2015 and will be looking to avenge a close defeat to South Africa at last year's World Championships. This crew will certainly be the home favorite.
CONTENDERS – South Africa sprinted through the French last year in Amsterdam to win by a bow ball, with Norway right there as well. They will again be the likely challengers to the French, but anything can happen in this event, so watch for ITA, GBR, USA, and DEN to be in the mix as well.
USA LINEUP – Josh Konieczny (s), Andrew Campbell (b)
OLYMPIC QUALIFYING SPOTS – Top 11
TOTAL OLYMPIC BOATS - 20
RECENT MEDALISTS:
GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
World Cup III | FRA | RSA | NOR |
World Cup II | FRA | ITA | GBR |
World Cup I | NED | POR | POL |
2014 World Champs | RSA | FRA | NOR |
LIGHTWEIGHT WOMEN'S DOUBLE
FAVORITE – New Zealand is the reigning champion and has been the most consistent in 2015.
CONTENDERS – One of the most fluid events on the program, there are probably six or seven crews that could challenge for all the medals. GBR beat NZL in Varese, but finished fourth in Lucerne. RSA and USA had strong performances in Lucerne, and will also be under heavy pressure from AUS, GER, CAN and more.
USA LINEUP – Michelle Sechser (s), Devery Karz (b)
OLYMPIC QUALIFYING SPOTS – Top 11
TOTAL OLYMPIC BOATS - 20
RECENT MEDALISTS:
GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
World Cup III | NZL | RSA | USA |
World Cup II | GBR | NZL | GER |
World Cup I | CHN | POL | NED |
2014 World Champs | NZL | CAN | CHN |
MEN'S FOUR
FAVORITE – The 2014 champions from GBR have prioritized the M8+ in 2015, so the likely frontrunners for Aiguebelette are the Americans following their win at World Cup II.
CONTENDERS – The Australian four will be a huge threat to USA after winning in Lucerne, however they have had to reshuffle their line-up following a cycling accident knocking out 2-man Alex Lloyd. The Italians have also had a very strong season, along with Canada and Romania.
USA LINEUP – Seth Weil (s), Henrik Rummel (3), Charlie Cole (2), Glenn Ochal (b)
OLYMPIC QUALIFYING SPOTS – Top 11
TOTAL OLYMPIC BOATS - 13
RECENT MEDALISTS:
GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
World Cup III | AUS | ITA | ROU |
World Cup II | USA | ITA | AUS |
World Cup I | BLR | ESP | SRB |
2014 World Champs | GBR | USA | AUS |
WOMEN'S QUAD
FAVORITE – Germany has been the dominant crew so far this quadrennial, winning in both 2013 and 2014, and sweeping the 2015 World Cup season.
CONTENDERS – USA brings a strong crew, but has not raced this lineup internationally before. China was the silver medalists in 2014, and is returning their lineup intact. Then Australian, Dutch, and Polish quads have shown speed in 2015 as well and will likely challenge for a medal.
USA LINEUP – Olivia Coffey (s), Amanda Elmore (3), Tracy Eisser (2), Megan Kalmoe (b)
OLYMPIC QUALIFYING SPOTS – Top 5
TOTAL OLYMPIC BOATS - 7
RECENT MEDALISTS:
GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
World Cup III | GER | AUS | NED |
World Cup II | GER | POL | USA |
World Cup I | GER | POL | NED |
2014 World Champs | GER | CHN | USA |
MEN'S QUAD
FAVORITE – Ukraine is the defending champion, and finished second in their only race of the spring at the 2015 European championships, where Russia won and GB placed third, with all three crews within a second.
CONTENDERS – Ukraine will be under heavy pressure from the British in what should be one of the most difficult races to predict a winner. Germany, Canada, New Zealand, and Estonia all have very strong quads entered as well, so expect a fast and exciting final.
USA LINEUP – Ian Silveira (s), Hans Struzyna (3), John Madura (2), Derek Johnson (b)
OLYMPIC QUALIFYING SPOTS – Top 8
TOTAL OLYMPIC BOATS - 10
RECENT MEDALISTS:
GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
World Cup III | GER | NZL | EST |
World Cup II | GBR | GER | CAN |
World Cup I | GER | CHN | FRA |
2014 World Champs | UKR | GBR | GER |
WOMEN'S DOUBLE
FAVORITE – New Zealand is the slight favorite in this event following their 2014 title and close wins at both World Cup II and World Cup III.
CONTENDERS – The women's double should provide some of the best racing of the regatta. Multiple crews with medal chances will join the Kiwis; Australia, Lithuania, USA, GBR, Poland, and Belarus all come in to Aiguebelette following a strong summer season.
USA LINEUP – Ellen Tomek (s), Meghan O'Leary (b)
OLYMPIC QUALIFYING SPOTS – Top 11
TOTAL OLYMPIC BOATS - 13
RECENT MEDALISTS:
GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
World Cup III | NZL | AUS | BLR |
World Cup II | NZL | USA | GBR |
World Cup I | POL | GER | CHN |
2014 World Champs | NZL | POL | AUS |
MEN'S DOUBLE
FAVORITE – Croatia is the clear favorite, having dominated the men's double for 2014 and 2015.
CONTENDERS – The race for silver and bronze should be a good fight between Germany, Australia, and Italy with a multitude of other doubles fighting to make the A final and get on the podium.
USA LINEUP – John Graves (s), Ben Dann (b)
OLYMPIC QUALIFYING SPOTS – Top 11
TOTAL OLYMPIC BOATS - 13
RECENT MEDALISTS:
GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
World Cup III | CRO | GER | AUS |
World Cup II | CRO | AUS | ITA |
World Cup I | GER | SRB | CZE |
2014 World Champs | CRO | ITA | AUS |
LIGHTWEIGHT MEN'S FOUR
FAVORITE – New Zealand comes to France as the favorite as this event is perhaps the hardest to stay on top and the Kiwis won both World Cups they raced in this summer.
CONTENDERS – Lots of contenders; reigning world champions from Denmark are always dangerous and the Swiss have been strong as well. Watch out for France and the USA to try and get in the 'mix' as well.
USA LINEUP – Will Daly (s), Ed King (3), Tyler Nase (2), Anthony Fahden (b)
OLYMPIC QUALIFYING SPOTS – Top 11
TOTAL OLYMPIC BOATS - 13
RECENT MEDALISTS:
GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
World Cup III | NZL | SUI | DEN |
World Cup II | NZL | SUI | FRA |
World Cup I | SUI | CHN1 | CHN2 |
2014 World Champs | DEN | NZL | GBR |
WOMEN'S EIGHT
FAVORITE – USA goes for their tenth consecutive World/Olympic title.
CONTENDERS – Canada has finished second to the USA in 2014, 2012, 2011, and 2010 and will be looking to end the streak. The race for bronze should be a good race between NZL, GBR, and ROU.
USA LINEUP – Katelin Snyder (c), Heidi Robbins (s), Tessa Gobbo (7), Kerry Simmonds (6), Emily Regan (5), Lauren Schmetterling (4), Amanda Polk (3), Meghan Musnicki (2), Vicky Opitz (b)
OLYMPIC QUALIFYING SPOTS – Top 5
TOTAL OLYMPIC BOATS - 7
RECENT MEDALISTS:
GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
World Cup III | CAN | NZL | GBR |
World Cup II | USA | CAN | GBR |
2014 World Champs | USA | CAN | CHN |
MEN'S SINGLE
FAVORITE – Mahe Drysdale has dominated 2015 after finishing second last year in Amsterdam. He comes in to the regatta as the favorite after winning World Cup II, Henley, and World Cup III.
CONTENDERS – Ondrej Synek of CZE won in 2014, but has struggled relatively compared to previous years, so his form in Aiguebelette will likely determine if Drysdale is challenged. Other scullers looking to win a medal are CUB, LTU, GBR, BLR, and CRO.
USA LINEUP – Ken Jurkowski
OLYMPIC QUALIFYING SPOTS – Top 9
TOTAL OLYMPIC BOATS - 29
RECENT MEDALISTS:
GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
World Cup III | NZL | LTU | GBR |
World Cup II | NZL | CUB | BLR |
World Cup I | CUB | CRO | SUI |
2014 World Champs | CZE | NZL | CUB |
WOMEN'S SINGLE
FAVORITE –2015 has been the year of Kim Crow of Australia. She has been absolutely dominant and is the favorite to take the gold.
CONTENDERS – With the absence of New Zealand's Emma Twigg, it's likely going to be a race for silver with several scullers in the mix. Olympic champion Mirka Knapkova of CZE is the best likely challenger to Crow, and she will be pushed by USA, Austria, and Denmark.
USA LINEUP – Gevvie Stone
OLYMPIC QUALIFYING SPOTS – Top 9
TOTAL OLYMPIC BOATS - 29
RECENT MEDALISTS:
GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
World Cup III | AUS | CZE | USA |
World Cup II | AUS | USA | AUT |
World Cup I | BLR2 | CZE | BLR1 |
2014 World Champs | NZL | AUS | CHN |
MEN'S EIGHT
FAVORITE – The Brits are the favorites after defeating Germany at both World Cup II and III and are the current world champions in the event.
CONTENDERS – Germany has raced to within a seat of GBR twice this season, and will likely be the top challenger again in Aiguebelette. USA and NZL have shown the most speed and will be looking to get on the podium and potentially knock off one of the top two crews.
USA LINEUP – Zach Vlahos (c), Tom Peszek (s), Tom Dethlefs (7), Alex Karwoski (6), Austin Hack (5), Matt Miller (4), Sam Dommer (3), Mike Gennaro (2), Grant James (b)
OLYMPIC QUALIFYING SPOTS – Top 5
TOTAL OLYMPIC BOATS - 7
RECENT MEDALISTS:
GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
World Cup III | GBR | GER | NZL |
World Cup II | GBR | GER | USA |
World Cup I | GER1 | POL | GER2 |
2014 World Champs | GBR | GER | POL |
WOMEN'S FOUR
FAVORITE – The Americans are the favorites following their win at World Cup II.
CONTENDERS – With only five crews entered, handicapping this event is a bit tricky, but the race for the medals will likely be between GER, GBR, and CHN.
USA LINEUP – Grace Luczak (s), Adrienne Martelli (3), Grace Latz (2), Kristine O'Brien (b)
RECENT MEDALISTS:
GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
World Cup II | USA | AUS | GER |
2014 World Champs | NZL | USA | CHN |
MEN'S COXED PAIR
FAVORITE – GBR following their win at World Cup III.
CONTENDERS – There's little racing history to compare the eight crews entered, but likely contenders for medals are Italy, Germany, and France.
USA LINEUP – Jacob Mendelson (c), Taylor Brown (s), Erick Winstead (b)
RECENT MEDALISTS:
GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
World Cup III | GBR | GER | |
2014 World Champs | NZL | GBR | GER |
LIGHTWEIGHT MEN'S PAIR
FAVORITE – Italy comes to Aiguebelette as the favorite following their narrow win of GBR at World Cup III.
CONTENDERS – FRA, GBR, and GER have had solid summer seasons so far, and the strong USA crew should contend to make the final.
USA LINEUP – Peter Gibson (s), Robin Prendes (b)
RECENT MEDALISTS:
GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
World Cup III | ITA | GBR | DEN |
World Cup II | FRA | GBR | ITA |
World Cup I | CHN | ESP | GER |
2014 World Champs | SUI | FRA | GBR |
LIGHTWEIGHT MEN'S SINGLE
FAVORITE – Another tough race to handicap, Italian sculler Marcello Miani could be considered the favorite since he is the defending champion and holder of the World Best Time, though his one race this year was at World Cup II, where he finished in fifth place.
CONTENDERS – Lots of contenders with 36 entries. Slovakian sculler Lukas Babac has had the most success in 2015, winning World Cup III and finishing second at World Cup II. Other countries looking to win or medal are NZL, GER, SRB, BEL, and USA.
USA LINEUP – Nick Trojan
RECENT MEDALISTS:
GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
World Cup III | SVK | SRB | NZL |
World Cup II | FRA | SVK | GER |
World Cup I | SVK | SLO | BUL |
2014 World Champs | ITA | GER | SUI |
LIGHTWEIGHT WOMEN'S SINGLE
FAVORITE – 19 year-old Zoe McBride of New Zealand won both World Cup II and III and set the world's best time in Varese.
CONTENDERS – Kate Bertko of the USA has strong medal aspirations and will be chasing NZL hard. Other scullers to watch are GBR and BRA.
USA LINEUP – Kate Bertko
RECENT MEDALISTS:
GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
World Cup III | NZL | GBR | DEN |
World Cup II | NZL | BRA | GER |
World Cup I | BRA | CHN | POL |
2014 World Champs | BEL | GRE | USA |
LIGHTWEIGHT MEN'S QUAD
FAVORITE – No favorite as there hasn't been any racing in this event since Amsterdam.
CONTENDERS – Gold and bronze medalists from last year are not attending, so Italy and Germany will likely be in the running for medals. Germany returns one from last year, while Italy's entire fourth place crew from 2014 returns. GBR returns to the event and should have a strong entry, along with a solid quad from the United States.
USA LINEUP – Austin Meyer (s), Colin Ethridge (3), Matt O'Leary (2), Hugh McAdam (b)
RECENT MEDALISTS:
GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
2014 World Champs | GRE | GER | CHN |
LIGHTWEIGHT WOMEN'S QUAD
FAVORITE – No favorite as there hasn't been any racing in this event since Amsterdam.
CONTENDERS – There's little turnover from the top crews from 2014, so likely medal contenders will likely come from GBR, ITA, AUS, GER, and USA.
USA LINEUP – Mary Foster (s), Lauren Ayers (3), Erin Roberts (2), Hillary Saeger (b)
RECENT MEDALISTS:
GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
2014 World Champs | NED | AUS | GER |
LIGHTWEIGHT MEN'S EIGHT
FAVORITE – No favorite as there hasn't been any racing in this event since Amsterdam.
CONTENDERS – Five crews entered in this event. Returning champions GER return half of their crew, while Italy has just two coming back. Turkey has six returners, then France and USA have relatively new and untested lineups.
USA LINEUP – Jack Carlson (c), John Devlin (s), Tobin McGee (7), Philip Henson (6), Alex Twist (5), Chris Lambert (4), Peter Schmidt (3), Dave Smith (2), Matt Lenhart (b)
RECENT MEDALISTS:
GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
2014 World Champs | GER | ITA | TUR |
The 2015 Worlds boast a record number of entries; tremendous luck to everyone racing for medals, placement, and Rio 2016.
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